Colombia is reaching a crucial point in strengthening its role as an international supplier of fruit and vegetables. Thanks to its climatic diversity, large amount of arable land, and years of logistical expertise in sectors like floriculture, the country is now developing a strategy to expand markets, attract global investment, and boost the efficiency of its fruit and vegetable exports.
A key element of this strategy is the EXHCO fair, which aims to link Colombian producers with international buyers, investors, and technology suppliers in the fruit, vegetable, and aromatic plant sectors. Concurrently, specialised logistics for perishable products are being developed to streamline export processes and shorten critical supply chain times.
© ALI S.A.S
According to Robert Bernal, the event's organizer from the freight agency ALI S.A.S, "Colombia has unique natural conditions for producing fruit year-round, and it's time to develop this huge advantage."
Logistics developed from flower exports
Decades of experience in flower exports have served as the basis for building a logistics system specialised in perishable products. "This experience has enabled us to understand the operational requirements for handling time and temperature-sensitive goods.
"However, a key challenge is the administrative complexity. Excessive procedures and regulations can hinder processes, particularly when handling fresh produce."
"We tend to over-legislate and establish too many processes. We should adopt a more agile approach, applying rules effectively while minimizing operational times," Bernal stated.
The key is to accompany the exporter throughout the process, "something that often makes the difference between an efficient operation and one that generates delays."
© ALI S.A.S
Handling fruit and vegetables requires different logistics compared to other goods, as perishables need highly specialized processes unlike industrial products. At Ali Freight Forwarding, we work directly with growers to understand their production systems and tailor logistics for each product's needs. This allows us to adjust transport schedules, operational planning, and staffing for every shipment.
This flexibility is crucial when handling fresh fruit, experts emphasized.
© ALI S.A.S
EXCO: A platform to connect Colombian production with the world
Alongside logistical development, Colombia is advancing the establishment of an international business platform for the fruit and vegetable sector: EXHCO.
"EXHCO was created based on what producers have told us they need: access to markets and better prices for their products," Bernal stated.
The event aims to attract international importers, agricultural investors, tech companies from the agri-food sector, and suppliers of agricultural machinery and solutions.
"The fair has garnered significant attention both nationally and internationally. A key highlight is the country's productive potential: Colombia possesses approximately 39 million hectares of arable land, but only a small portion of this is currently being used," he said.
"We have 32 regions with microclimates and different thermal floors, which allow us to grow nearly any crop year-round," he added.
© ALI S.A.S
Overall, the country has over 70 fruits with export potential, many still relatively unknown in international markets, and one of the main goals for the Colombian sector is to increase the number of export destinations.
"Currently, many products are concentrated in only a few markets, restricting sector growth, even though countries in the region export to over 90 destinations. The growth strategy for the Colombian fruit and vegetable sector focuses on diversifying clients and exploring new markets. EXHCO will serve as a unique platform to facilitate this expansion," he stated.
Technology, investment, and international cooperation
However, developing the sector also depends on technology transfer and international cooperation. That is why EXHCO aims to attract companies and expertise from countries with advanced agricultural technology, such as Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, or France.
© ALI S.A.S
"We require technology transfer, foreign investment, and knowledge sharing. Numerous countries have already undertaken this path and can assist us in unlocking our agricultural potential, aiming to modernize the sector, boost productivity, and create new economic opportunities in rural communities."
"Our production capacity offers significant potential. It's not merely about exporting; it's about linking producers, exporters, and markets to create a more integrated value chain, enabling local producers to expand into new markets."
"We want those who are currently only producers to have the opportunity to become exporters, and the celebration of EXHCO, Colombia's first fruit and vegetable fair, will serve as the starting point for this transformation."
© ALI S.A.S
For more information:
EXHCO 2026
Tel: (+57) 3124384319
Email: [email protected]
https://exhco.com/
